ODI TEAM OF THE YEAR:

1. Chris Gayle: Although playing far fewer games than many of his international counterparts (due to the West Indies’ rather ‘chilled out’ schedule), Gayle still managed to demoralise a number of bowlers the world over with his brutal hitting. The tall Jamaican’s deceptive off-spin, delivered in typically cool fashion with sunglasses donned, can also prove a handful in the right conditions.

2. Gautam Gambhir: While many would see Gambhir as a surprise choice in the limited overs format, the left-hander has actually scored the most ODI runs in 2008, with a strike-rate of over 90. In addition, Gambhir’s calming influence would complement whirlwind partner Chris Gayle at the top of the order.

3. Younis Khan: With a healthy average of nearly 55 and a strike-rate of 97 this year, Younis is the perfect man to be coming in at number three in this World XI. The Pakistani right-hander has a penchant for booming cover drives but is now almost as strong through the leg-side.

4. Yuvraj Singh: With an amazing 31 maximums, India’s flashy left-hander heads the list for most sixes in 2008. But it hasn’t been all slog-and-hope either; Yuvraj has put together a number of mature innings and has always remained focused under intense pressure. His handy left-arm spin is another bonus for the captain.

5. Shivnarine Chanderpaul: The diminutive left-hander may not be the most flamboyant player around but his record quite simply speaks for itself. Boasting the highest ODI average (64.22) of any batsman playing a significant amount of games in 2008, Chanderpaul’s ability to stick around and turn over the strike would be vital with the kind of hitters surrounding him in the batting line-up.

6. Mahendra Singh S Dhoni (captain & wicketkeeper): Second only to Indian teammate Gautam Gambhir in terms of ODI runs scored during the year, and running away with the wicketkeeper’s “Most Dismissals” award, Dhoni was the standout player in 2008 (also scooping the ICC ODI Player of the Year gong). He captains this World XI after his motivational brilliance saw India dominate the shorter form of the game.

7. Andrew Flintoff: The crucial link between the top-order and the tail, Flintoff can take any attack apart on his day. While struggling with injury in the early part of the year, the England all-rounder bounced back with a bang, averaging a shade over 21 with the ball and an impressive 50 with the bat.

8. Nuwan Kulasekara: The Sri Lankan seamer’s proficiency in reverse swing and his signature tight line and length would see him play a containing role with the ball for this World XI, while still picking up plenty of wickets (he is the third-highest wicket-taker in 2008, after all).

9. Nathan Bracken: The left-arm swing bowler, currently number one in the ICC ODI bowling rankings, again proved his worth with Australia. Despite his long, feminine locks and girly Alice Band, Bracken is handed the new ball in this bowling line-up. The selectors of this team don’t discriminate!

10. Ajantha Mendis: The rookie spinner, who bowls an amazing array of deliveries, took the world game by storm in 2008, grabbing 48 wickets at the unbelievable average of 10.12. Mendis flummoxed virtually every batsman he bowled to, with a best of 6/13 against India in the Asia Cup final. The word ‘exciting’ just doesn’t do him justice.

11. Muttiah Muralitharan: The only man with more wickets to his name than Muralitharan this year is his Sri Lankan teammate Mendis. But the world’s leading off-spinner still makes the World ODI quite easily, with amazing control, prodigious turn and exceptional variety his standout attributes.

Barend Prins ODI XI: Gautam Gambhir, Virender Sehwag, Younis Khan, Kevin Pietersen, Michael Hussey, Yuvraj Singh, MS Dhoni (captain & wk), Stuart Broad, Nathan Bracken, Muttiah Murilitharan, Ajantha Mendis

Howard Kahn ODI XI: Chris Gayle, Gautam Ghambir, Kevin Pietersen, Younis Khan, Yuvraj Singh, Michael Hussey, MS Dhoni (captain & wk), Andrew Flintoff, Sohail Tanvir, Nathan Bracken, Ajantha Mendis

Rob Peters ODI XI: Graeme Smith, Virender Sehwag, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Jacques Kallis, Michael Hussey, MS Dhoni (captain & wk), Andrew Flintoff, Stuart Broad, Nathan Bracken, Ajantha Mendis, Muttiah Muralitharan

Zunaid Ismael ODI XI: Gautam Gambhir, Virender Sehwag, Kumar Sangakkara, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Younis Khan, MS Dhoni (captain & wk), Shahid Afridi, Nathan Bracken, Umar Gul, Jerome Taylor, Muttiah Muralitharan

  • Let us know what you think or name your teams below!


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